Most people believe that generic drugs are identical to the brand name. When you get a dispensed drug, you likely don’t think about who makes it. Your pharmacy may switch you from a brand to generic, or they may switch between generics. Did you ... [Read More]
About Brian D. Lawenda, M.D.
Lab Tests To Biohack Your Cancer
Cancer, cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative diseases are more likely to develop in individuals who have the following conditions: Impaired immune systemChronic, low-level, systemic inflammationInsulin resistanceNutrient deficienciesGut ... [Read More]
Breast Cancer Survivors: 5 Years or Longer Of Endocrine Therapy
This is a big question asked by most hormone receptor positive breast cancer survivors. The data clearly shows an improvement in outcomes when taking 5 years of endocrine therapy, and recent studies report additional benefits when continuing to take ... [Read More]
Ketogenic Diet 101: Everything You Need To Know On The What, How And Who
Watch The 4-Minute Preview Above The ketogenic diet is another hot topic. Everyone who has attended my popular talks on this subject walks away with a much greater understanding and appreciation of this dietary approach to weight loss and health ... [Read More]
What Every Health Care Provider and Patient Should Know About Medical Cannabinoids
Watch the 4-Minute Trailer Above Medical cannabinoids is a hot topic. Everyone who has attended my popular talks on this subject walks away with a much greater understanding and appreciation of this natural medicine. -Dr. Lawenda Topics Covered ... [Read More]
Building Muscle Mass Is Anticancer
While much attention has been focused on the potential anticancer effects of being physically active (i.e getting 150-minutes per week of moderate intensity physical activity, etc.), one of the most important physiological changes you can make to ... [Read More]
Why You Should Consult With A Functional Medicine Trained Oncologist And Biohacker
Did you know that cancer patients and survivors are at a higher risk of dying from any cause compared with individuals who have never had cancer? If this fact worries you, I have good news. Combining functional medicine and biohacking, I can ... [Read More]
How To Find Your Effective CBD Dose
I often get asked this question: "How do I know what dose of CBD to use." While everyone is very different, here is my typical response. Start at a low dose and titrate up I recommend starting at a dose of 10 mg and increase the dose in 5 mg ... [Read More]
Things That Make Immunotherapy Less Effective
Introduction: What Are Immunotherapies? Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that helps your immune system fight cancer. Several types of immunotherapy are used to treat cancer. These treatments can either help the immune system attack the ... [Read More]
Anticancer Effects of Inositol and IP-6
Inositol hexaphosphate ("IP6", "myo-inositol hexaphosphate" or "phytic acid") is a natural molecule present in most plant and animal cells. You get this stuff in your diet mainly from eating cereals, grains, legumes and meat. Your body can also ... [Read More]
Reduce Risks of Metastases From Cancer Surgery or Biopsy
Can cancer surgery or biopsies cause tumor cells to metastasize or become more aggressive? Yes. But before you say to yourself that I won't have these done, it's VERY important to know that: Surgery on tumors that have not spread distantly can be ... [Read More]
Reducing Estrogen Receptor Stimulation Without Drugs
Seventy-to-eighty percent of all breast cancers have estrogen receptors ("ER-positive".) When estrogen binds to these receptors, it leads to their activation and stimulation of cancer cell growth. Breast cancer medications are often prescribed to ... [Read More]
Dr. Lawenda Opens Anti-Cancer, Integrative Oncology Course For Everyone
Dr. Brian Lawenda here. Over the last year I have been working on an updates to the Integrative Oncology Essentials course known as the IOE Program. I excited to announce we have officially launched. The 17-module program has been completely ... [Read More]
Protect Your Nails From Chemotherapy with Polyphenols
Chemotherapy often causes varying degrees of nail damage, called "onycholysis." Similar to the effects on hair follicles, most chemotherapy drugs inhibit rapidly dividing cells and cause inflammation in the nail bed. These changes allow bacteria and ... [Read More]
Blocking Cancer With Combinations of Supplements and Off-Label Drugs
Targeting cancer cell metabolism, growth signaling pathways and enhancing anti-cancer immunity are among the hottest topics being explored in oncology, today. It has become increasingly clear that many natural compounds, supplements and FDA-approved ... [Read More]
Cold Cap Therapy Helps Maintain Hair During Chemo
If you want to try to keep your hair during chemotherapy read this article. I wish more oncologists would tell their patients about this incredibly simple hair saving technique, but unfortunately many are either unaware of how effective it is or are ... [Read More]
Breast Cancer Radiation Treatment: “DIBH” Deep Inspiration Breath-Hold
If you need radiation for breast cancer ask your radiation oncologist, if they can treat you with a technique that may be able to significantly lower the amount of radiation dose to your lung and/or heart. This technique is called "DIBH" or "deep ... [Read More]
The Most Personalized Approach To Picking Cancer Drugs
Functional drug sensitivity assays use a sample of living tumor tissue (from a biopsy of your tumor) to help predict which drugs will be most effective in killing your cancer. The development, validation and clinical implementation of these assays is ... [Read More]
Prostate Cancer Treatment
Dr. Brian Lawenda’s lecture on Prostate Cancer Treatment at the 2018 UsToo International Prostate Cancer Pathways for Patients & Caregivers Conference (June 23, 2018). TOPICS: Consensus Based Guidelines for Treatment MRI ... [Read More]
Optimizing Our Health
Dr. Brian Lawenda's introductory lecture at the 2018 UsToo International Prostate Cancer Pathways for Patients & Caregivers Conference (June 23, 2018). The topics discussed are relevant to both men and women and those with and without ... [Read More]
Antibiotics Reduce The Effectiveness of Immunotherapy
Taking antibiotics while receiving immunotherapy (specifically "checkpoint inhibitors") dramatically reduces the effectiveness and survival rate of patients undergoing these types of cancer treatment. A 2018 study found that patients who took ... [Read More]
Simple Lab Tests To Help Predict Cancer Prognosis
Systemic inflammation is recognized as one of the key driving factors for cancer development recurrence and death. Increasingly, studies are reporting that we can use simple lab tests as prognostic tools to help us better predict which patients will ... [Read More]
Dr Lawenda’s Favorite Ketogenic and Low Carbohydrate Diet Resources
Low Carbohydrate Diet: Are you struggling to lose weight? Have you been told you have insulin resistance? Or, are you just looking for a healthful dietary approach to reduce sugar and insulin levels in your body? If any of these apply to you, I ... [Read More]
Improve The Effectiveness of Immunotherapy With β-Blockers
A study published in 2017 reported on the potential effects of taking a cheap blood pressure medication while also being treated with immunotherapy for metastatic melanoma. Their results were so exciting, that they have led to a clinical trial of ... [Read More]
Dr. Lawenda Discusses a 5-Day Breast Radiation Technique
The majority of patients with early stage breast cancers choose breast conserving treatments for their breast cancer. This involves removing the tumor through a procedure called a "lumpectomy." In order to reduce the risk of recurrence within the ... [Read More]
Beta-Blocker Pills Reduce Melanoma Recurrence
Patients who were prescribed an inexpensive blood pressure medication after their diagnosis of melanoma had an 80% reduction in recurrence risk versus those prescribed a placebo. This is a dramatic result, and one that will need to be confirmed in ... [Read More]
Dr Lawenda Discusses Radiation Therapy For Benign Conditions
KNDU/NBC TV "Living Well" Show: Dr. Lawenda Discusses Radiation Therapy For Benign Conditions (September 2, 2017) In most cases, radiation therapy is not the first treatment option we recommend in the management of benign (non-cancer) ... [Read More]
Dr. Lawenda Discusses Brain Tumor Management
KNDU/NBC TV "Living Well" Show: Dr. Lawenda Discusses Brain Tumor Management (August 19, 2017) In most cases, patients with brain tumors have time to gather information about their condition (workup, staging, treatment, surveillance.) In this ... [Read More]
Reduce Radiation Side Effects To The Bladder With Cranberry Extract
Many patients who receive radiation therapy to the pelvis for prostate, bladder, rectal, gynecologic and other cancers will develop temporary side effects from inflammation of the bladder (radiation cystitis.) Occasionally, some of these patients ... [Read More]
Dr. Lawenda Discusses Colorectal Cancer Care
KNDU/NBC TV "Living Well" Show: Dr. Lawenda Discusses Colorectal Cancer Care (August 12, 2017) In most cases, patients with colorectal cancer have time to gather information about their condition (workup, staging, treatment, surveillance.) In this ... [Read More]
